Rover sd1 v8 timing

[cerbielee]

Hi all, when doing the timing on my car the pulley markings show its 180 degrees out with my strobe light! but the engine runs sweet! im using plug no 1 lead, is this correct? when i altered it so timing marks lined up it didnt run??? am i doing it right or is there a different way of doing it?
Thanks for any advice fellas!

[GreenV8S]

Some possible explanations:

The pulleys aren't all consistent, yours may be marked incorrectly. You should check it against mechanical TDC before you rely on it.
The pulleys can fail leaving the marked portion of the pulley free to move relative to the crank so you get a variable result.
You have got the cylinder numbering wrong. (#1 is the plug nearest to the dizzy).

[cerbielee]

GreenV8S said:

Some possible explanations:

The pulleys aren't all consistent, yours may be marked incorrectly. You should check it against mechanical TDC before you rely on it.
The pulleys can fail leaving the marked portion of the pulley free to move relative to the crank so you get a variable result.
You have got the cylinder numbering wrong. (#1 is the plug nearest to the dizzy).

Thanks for the info! yes i am using the plug nearest to the dizzy! i took off the cap put the car in gear and moved the car so the pulley markings lined up! But the rotor arm wasnt pionting towards no1! almost 180 degrees out! even took the dizzy out and turned it 180 deg round but then it didnt run! could it be possible the pulley has slipped?
Cheers again Lee

[GreenV8S]

cerbielee said:

But the rotor arm wasnt pionting towards no1! almost 180 degrees out!

Oh, you mean the rotor arm is 180 degrees out? I thought you were talking about the crank! The dizzy turns at half crank speed. Turn the engine over once, the rotor arm turns 180 degrees. You were just looking at it at the wrong point in the engine cycle.

[cerbielee]

Thanks for the info mate! looks like the bottom pulley markings are out!can it be adjusted? is it keyed into the crank?
Thanks again! Lee

[GreenV8S]

It's keyed into the crank but it's possible for the outer to slip relative to the inner. But if as you say the timing is exactly 180 degrees out on the dizzy then that indicates you just had the engine in the wrong phase when you looked at the dizzy; nothing wrong with the crank pulley.

[cerbielee]

Hi mate, with the dizzy cap off! if i turn the engine round so the rotor arm points to no1 lead then the pulley markings are miles out! not exactly 180 out but maybe 150-160! is there any way of moving it round? Also how can it move round if keyed? wish i kept my cerbie now!!!

[GreenV8S]

cerbielee said:

Hi mate, with the dizzy cap off! if i turn the engine round so the rotor arm points to no1 lead then the pulley markings are miles out! not exactly 180 out but maybe 150-160! is there any way of moving it round? Also how can it move round if keyed? wish i kept my cerbie now!!!

Sounds to me as if your timing marks are out, or the pulley has failed (in which case the timing marks could be out, but more important your crank damper has failed).

To find out where you really stand, make a deadstop and find mechanical TDC on #1 cylinder and mark that on the front pulley. That will give you a reference to set the timing from.

Edited by GreenV8S on Wednesday 20th February 20:56

[cerbielee]

GreenV8S said:

cerbielee said:

Hi mate, with the dizzy cap off! if i turn the engine round so the rotor arm points to no1 lead then the pulley markings are miles out! not exactly 180 out but maybe 150-160! is there any way of moving it round? Also how can it move round if keyed? wish i kept my cerbie now!!!

Sounds to me as if your timing marks are out, or the pulley has failed (in which case the timing marks could be out, but more important your crank damper has failed).

To find out where you really stand, make a deadstop and find mechanical TDC on #1 cylinder and mark that on the front pulley. That will give you a reference to set the timing from.

Edited by GreenV8S on Wednesday 20th February 20:56

Cheers for that you know your stuff mate! much apprieciated!
Lee